Pate pulls out of congressional primary

By Dana BeyerleTimes Montgomery Bureau

Published: Friday, February 3, 2012 at 6:13 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 3, 2012 at 6:13 p.m.

MONTGOMERY — Tuscaloosa businessman on Friday said he’s informed state Republican officials that he’s withdrawing from the March 13 primary for the Sixth District congressional seat because he doesn’t live in the newly created district.

However, his name still will be on some ballots.

Pate in a statement said when he paid his $3,800 qualifying fee on Jan. 13 he didn’t realize he didn’t live in the district.

Although a member of Congress does not have to reside in a district he or she represents, Pate said he believes it’s important to actually live in the district.

The Legislature in 2011 redrew congressional district lines and moved the Sixth District totally out of Tuscaloosa County, where Pate lives.

In a quirk of the redrawing process, Pate’s residence remains in the Sixth District until January for representation purposes.

For voting purposes in the March 13 primary and November general election, he resides in the newly drawn Fourth Congressional District represented by U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville. The new districts will be in place for representation purposes when new members of Congress take office in January.

The Gadsden Times first reported Jan. 20 that Pate did not live in the district for voting purposes.

Republican Party Executive Director T.J. Maloney said because absentee ballots already have been printed for the primary, Pate’s name will appear on them. He said absentee ballot packages will contain a “bright piece of paper” informing that Pate has withdrawn as a candidate.

Maloney said Pate’s name will be blacked out on ballots at polling places.

U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, is seeking reelection in the Sixth District. Opponents are Justin Barkley, state Sen. Scott Beason, Al Mickle and Blount County Probate Judge David Standridge. Democrats Penny H. Bailey and William Barnes seek the seat.

<p>MONTGOMERY — Tuscaloosa businessman on Friday said he's informed state Republican officials that he's withdrawing from the March 13 primary for the Sixth District congressional seat because he doesn't live in the newly created district.</p><p>However, his name still will be on some ballots.</p><p>Pate in a statement said when he paid his $3,800 qualifying fee on Jan. 13 he didn't realize he didn't live in the district.</p><p>Although a member of Congress does not have to reside in a district he or she represents, Pate said he believes it's important to actually live in the district.</p><p>The Legislature in 2011 redrew congressional district lines and moved the Sixth District totally out of Tuscaloosa County, where Pate lives.</p><p>In a quirk of the redrawing process, Pate's residence remains in the Sixth District until January for representation purposes.</p><p>For voting purposes in the March 13 primary and November general election, he resides in the newly drawn Fourth Congressional District represented by U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville. The new districts will be in place for representation purposes when new members of Congress take office in January.</p><p>The Gadsden Times first reported Jan. 20 that Pate did not live in the district for voting purposes.</p><p>Republican Party Executive Director T.J. Maloney said because absentee ballots already have been printed for the primary, Pate's name will appear on them. He said absentee ballot packages will contain a “bright piece of paper” informing that Pate has withdrawn as a candidate.</p><p>Maloney said Pate's name will be blacked out on ballots at polling places.</p><p>U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, is seeking reelection in the Sixth District. Opponents are Justin Barkley, state Sen. Scott Beason, Al Mickle and Blount County Probate Judge David Standridge. Democrats Penny H. Bailey and William Barnes seek the seat.</p>